Tokyo cops bust club Vanity in Roppongi for licensing violations

Ken OharaTOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police early Sunday morning raided a popular nightclub in the Roppongi entertainment area for operating a dance club after midnight without proper licensing, reports Nikkan Sports (May 27).

At around 2 a.m., officers entered club Vanity Restaurant Tokyo and arrested three employees, including 32-year-old manager Ken Ohara, for operating a venue that included a DJ booth and dance space in violation of the Law Regulating Adult Entertainment Businesses, which requires that such activities cease at midnight.

Ohara has reportedly denied the allegations. “I am not aware of any dancing,” the manager is quoted by police.

Musicians and club goers have campaigned in recent years to change the law to allow for dancing into the morning hours.

According to police, there were 140 complaints filed by citizens in the immediate area of the club concerning noise and other disturbances between January and April.

Approximately 22,000 customers patronize Vanity each month, with the club collecting more than 120 million yen in sales.